Seat belt lock for child safety seat

ABSTRACT

A locking device is disclosed. The device includes a base portion having a base free end, a base hinged end, and an elongated top face extending between the base free end and the base hinged end. The device also includes a top portion having a top free end, a top hinged end, and an elongated bottom face extending between the top free end and the top hinged end. A hinge is hingedly connecting the base hinged end and the top hinged end. A locking mechanism releasably secures the base free end and the top free end such that the top face of the base portion and the bottom face of the top portion are secured proximate to each other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/581,200, filed on Jun. 18, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Child safety seats are used to restrain small children in automobilesand to provide additional safety to the children in the event of acollision. Typically, the safety seats consist of a seat portion that issecured on the automobile back seat through the use of the automobile'sseat belt. The seat belt is threaded through a rear portion of thesafety seat and secured. However, the seat belt is able to self-adjustdue to the ratcheting mechanism that is used to retract the belt. Suchself-adjustment prevents the safety seat from being securely fastened tothe automobile back seat. To overcome this deficiency, typically, a seatbelt clamp is used to secure the belt to itself to preventself-adjustment.

The clamp is a generally “H-shaped” piece of metal that secures twooverlapping pieces of seat belt webbing to each other. However, theclamp is difficult to install, leaving open the possibility of a safetyseat user omitting the use of the clamp entirely, thus failing toproperly secure the safety seat. It would be beneficial to provide aclamp that is easy to use, both in installing the clamp on a seat beltand also removing the clamp from the seat belt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention provides a locking device comprising abase portion having a base free end, a base hinged end, and an elongatedtop face extending between the base free end and the base hinged end.The device also includes a top portion having a top free end, a tophinged end, and an elongated bottom face extending between the top freeend and the top hinged end. A hinge is hingedly connecting the basehinged end and the top hinged end. A locking mechanism releasablysecures the base free end and the top free end such that the top face ofthe base portion and the bottom face of the top portion are securedproximate to each other.

Further, the present invention also provides a method of securing afirst length of a seat belt to a second length of a seat belt. Themethod comprises providing a clamp having a base portion having a basefree end, a base hinged end, and an elongated top face extending betweenthe base free end and the base hinged end. The clamp also includes a topportion having a top free end, a top hinged end, and an elongated bottomface extending between the top free end and the top hinged end.Additionally, the clamp includes a hinge hingedly connecting the basehinged end and the top hinged end and a means for releasably securingthe base free end and the top free end such that the top face of thebase portion and the bottom face of the top portion are securedproximate to each other. The method further comprises disposing thefirst length of the seat belt on the bottom face; disposing the secondlength of the seat belt on the first length of the seat belt; disposingthe top face over the second length of the seat belt; and securing thebase free end to the top free end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings, which are incorporateherein and constitute part of this specification. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodimentswhich are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, thatthe invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings, the same reference numeralsare employed for designating the same elements throughout the severalfigures.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a seat belt lockof the present invention, with the lock in an “open” position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat belt lock according to FIG. 1,with the lock in a “locked” position.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view of the lock of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a lateral section view of the lock of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a seat belt lockof the present invention, with the lock in an “open” position.

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a base portion of the lock of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of a top portion of the lock of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the seat belt lock according to FIG. 5,with the lock in a “locked” position.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view of the lock of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a lateral section view of the lock of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a seat belt lockof the present invention, with the lock in an “open” position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the seat belt lock according to FIG. 9,with the lock in a “locked” position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includesthe words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words ofsimilar import. The following describes preferred embodiments of theinvention. However, it should be understood based on this disclosure,that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments describedherein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of a seat belt lock 100 ofthe present invention is shown. The lock 100 is used to secure the lapand shoulder portions of a seat belt in a juxtaposed relationship witheach other to prevent longitudinal translation of the lap and shoulderportions of the belt with respect to each other. It is important toprevent such translation when installing a child car seat onto the seatof an automobile to tightly secure the car seat onto the seat of theautomobile.

The lock 100 includes a base portion 110 having a generally elongatedbody 112 and a top portion 130, having a generally elongated body 132.The bodies 102, 132 are each sufficiently long such that webs 172, 174of a seat belt 170 may be laterally disposed therebetween, as is seen inFIGS. 2 and 3.

The base portion 110 has a free end 114 and a hinged end 116, with sides118, 120 connecting the free end 114 and the hinged end 116. The baseportion 110 also includes a bottom face 122 and a top face 124. The topface 124 includes a generally elongated elevated portion 126 thatextends within the perimeter of the top face 124 such that a ridge 128is formed along the free end 114 and the sides 118, 120. A protrusion129 extends beyond the elevated portion 126 along the hinged end 116.

The top portion 130 has a free end 134 and a hinged end 136, with sides138, 140 connecting the free end 114 and the hinged end 136. The topportion 130 also includes a bottom face 142 and a top face 144. Thebottom face 142 includes a generally elongated recessed portion 146 thatis sized to receive the elevated portion 126 when the lock 100 is in aclosed position. The recessed portion 146 also includes a cavity 148along the hinged end 136 that is sized to receive the protrusion 129when the lock 100 is in a closed position. A recess 149 is formed at thefree end 134 along the top face 144. As shown in FIG. 2, the recess 149is generally semi-circular in shape, but does not extend through to thebottom face 142.

A hinge pin 150 hingedly connects the hinged end 116 of the base portion110 and the hinged end 136 of the top portion 130 so that the lock 100is operable about the hinge pin 150 between an open and a closedposition. While a generally cylindrical hinge pin 150 is shown, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that other methods of hingedlyconnecting the base portion 110 and the top portion 130 to each othermay be used.

A locking tab 160 is connected to the free end 114 of the base portion110. The locking tab 160 includes a vertical portion 162 having aconnected end 164 that is connected to the free end 114 and a free end166 that includes a lip 168. The lip 168 extends obliquely toward thetop face 124 and the hinged end 116 of the base portion 110. The lockingtab 160 is preferably constructed of a memory material, such as springsteel, such that, when the free end 166, including the lip 168, isbiased away from the base portion 110, the locking tab 160 has a naturaltendency to return to its original, unbiased position.

FIGS. 2-4 show the lock 100 in a locked position, with two seat beltwebs 172, 174 secured together by the lock 100. As shown in FIG. 4, theelevated portion 126 cooperates with the recessed portion 146 to securethe webs 172, 174 relative to each other so that the webs 172, 174 donot translate relative to each other or the lock 100.

To operate the lock 100, the lock 100 is initially in an open position.A child car seat (not shown) is installed in the back seat of anautomobile according to instructions provided with the car seat. The carseat belt 170 is threaded through the back of the car seat, with the web172 that forms the lap portion of the belt 170 and the web 174 thatforms the shoulder portion 174 of the belt 170 being brought together ina juxtaposed relationship on either side of the seat. The elevatedportion 126 is engaged with the underneath portion of the web 172 andthe top portion 130 is pivoted about the hinge pin 150 to engage the topportion of the web 174. The free end 134 of the top portion 130 engagesthe lip 168 and biases the lip 168 toward the free end 114 of the baseportion 110. As the free end 134 of the top portion 130 is pivotedtoward the free end 114 of the base portion 110, the lip 168 clears thefree end 134 of the top portion 130 and snaps back into the recess 149along the top face 144 of the top portion 130.

The elevated portion 126 forces the portions of the webs 172, 174 thatare engaged with the elevated portion 126 into the recessed portion 146of the top portion 130, where the webs 172, 174 are held securely inplace by friction. The webs 172, 174 now cannot translate longitudinallywith respect to each other. The interlocking of the elevated portion 126with the recessed portion 146 also adds to the security of the webs 172,174 within the lock 100.

The lock 100 may be installed on the side of the car seat proximate tothe belt buckle (not shown) or on the side of the car seat distal fromthe belt buckle. Optionally, the lock 100 may be engaged with the webs172, 174 either prior to or subsequent to securing the child seat withthe belt 170.

To release the lock 100 from the belt 170, the locking tab 160 ispivoted about its connected end 164 away from the recess 149 until thelip 168 clears the recess 149. The free end 134 of the top portion 130is now free to pivot about the hinge pin 150 away from the free end 114of the base portion 110, opening the lock 100 and allowing the webs 172,174 to disengage from the lock 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, a second embodiment of a seat belt lock 200of the present invention is shown. The lock 200 includes a base portion210 having a generally elongated body 212 and a top portion 230, havinga generally elongated body 232. The bodies 212, 232 are eachsufficiently long such that webs 172, 174 of a seat belt 170 may belaterally disposed therebetween, as is seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The base portion 210 has a free end 214 and a hinged end 216, with sides218, 220 connecting the free end 214 and the hinged end 216. The baseportion 210 also includes a bottom face 222 and a top face 224. Thehinged end 216 includes a plurality of hinge supports 226 extendingupward from the top face 224. The hinge supports 226 are spaced fromeach other to allow hinge supports 246 of the top portion 230 to beinserted therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5 a, the hinge supports 226 alsoeach include a generally tubular passage 227 extending therethrough,aligned with each other, to allow for insertion of a hinge pin 250therein.

The free end 214 includes a generally rectangular slot 228 formedtherein between the bottom face 222 and the top face 224. The free end214 also include a generally tubular passage 229 extending therethroughbetween the sides 218, 220 to receive a pivot pin 264 for a lockingdevice 260.

The top portion 230 has a free end 234 and a hinged end 236, with sides238, 240 connecting the free end 214 and the hinged end 236. The topportion 230 also includes a bottom face 242 and a top face 244. Thehinged end 236 includes a plurality of hinge supports 246 extendingdistally away from the free end 234. The hinge supports 246 are spacedfrom each other to allow the hinge supports 226 of the base portion 210to be inserted therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5 b, the hinge supports246 also each include a generally tubular passage 247 extendingtherethrough, aligned with each other and with the passages 227, toallow for insertion of the hinge pin 250 therein.

A generally semicircular recess 248 is formed at the free end 234 andextends between the top face 244 and the bottom face 242. A generallycrescent-shaped ledge 249 extends partially around the recess 248approximately halfway between the top face 244 and the bottom face 242.

The hinge pin 250 hingedly connects the hinged end 216 of the baseportion 210 and the hinged end 236 of the top portion 230 so that thelock 200 is operable about the hinge pin 250 between an open and aclosed position. The hinge pin 250 extends through each of the tubularpassages 227, 247 in the hinge supports 226, 246. While a generallycylindrical pin 250 is shown, those skilled in the art will recognizethat other methods of hingedly connecting the base portion 210 and thetop portion 230 to each other may be used.

A locking collar 260 is pivotally connected to the free end 214 of thebase portion 210. The locking collar 260 includes a generally tee-shapedpin 262 with cross-portions forming pivot pins 262 that are insertedinto the tubular passages 229. The pivot pins 264 allow the lockingcollar 260 to pivot around the free end 214 of the base portion 210. Thebase of the pin 262, distal from the pivot pins 264, includes a stop 265that has a larger diameter than the remainder of the pin 262.

The locking collar 260 also includes a generally annular collar portion266 that includes a series of stepped portions 267, 268, 269. Thesmallest step portion 267 is sized to fit within the recess 248 betweenthe ledge 249 and the top face 244 of the top portion 230 when the lock200 is in the closed position, as is seen in FIG. 7. The medium stepportion 268 is sized larger than the recess 248 and rests on the top ofthe top face 244 of the top portion 230 when the lock is in the closedposition. The medium step portion 268 also provides a space between thetop face 244 of the top portion 230 and the large step portion 269 sothat a user can grip the large step portion 269 to operate the lockingcollar 260. The inner diameter of the larger step portion 269 includes acircular recess 269 a to receive the stop 265 therein when the lock 200is in the closed position.

Preferably, when the lock 200 is in the closed position, an interferencefit is formed between the small step portion 267 and the recess 248 sothat the locking collar 260 remains firmly engaged with the top portion230 absent a relatively large force used to pivot the locking collar 260away from the free end 234 of the top portion 230.

To operate the lock 200, the lock 200 is initially in an open position.The child car seat (not shown) is installed in the back seat of anautomobile according to instructions provided with the car seat. The carseat belt 170 is threaded through the back of the car seat, with the web172 that forms the lap portion of the belt 170 and the web 174 thatforms the shoulder portion 174 of the belt 170 being brought together ina juxtaposed relationship on either side of the seat. The top face 224of the base portion 210 is engaged with the underneath portion of theweb 172 and the top portion 230 is pivoted about the hinge pin 250 toengage the top portion of the web 174 until the lock 200 is in theclosed position. When the lock 200 is in the closed position, thelocking collar 260 is pivoted about the pivot pins 264 so that the smallstep portion 267 is forced into the recess 248 in the top portion 230,locking the top portion 230 to the base portion 210 and frictionallyretaining the webs 172, 174 therebetween.

Similar to the lock 100 described above, the lock 200 may be installedon the side of the car seat proximate to the belt buckle (not shown) oron the side of the car seat distal from the belt buckle. Optionally, thelock 200 may be engaged with the webs 172, 174 either prior to orsubsequent to securing the child seat with the belt 170.

To release the lock 200 from the belt 170, the locking collar 260 ispivoted about the locking pins 264 away from the recess 248. Asdescribed above, the force required to accomplish this task isrelatively large, such as a force greater than that which may beproduced by a young child. The free end 234 of the top portion 230 isnow free to pivot about the hinge pin 250 away from the free end 214 ofthe base portion 210, opening the lock 200 and allowing the webs 172,174 to disengage from the lock 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a third embodiment of a lock 300according to the present invention is shown. The lock 300 includes abase portion 310 having a generally elongated body 312 and a top portion330, having a generally elongated body 332. The bodies 312, 332 are eachsufficiently long such that webs 172, 174 of the seat belt 170 may belaterally disposed therebetween, as is seen in FIG. 10.

The base portion 310 has a free end 314 and a hinged end 316, with sides318, 320 connecting the free end 314 and the hinged end 316. The baseportion 310 also includes a bottom face 322 and a top face 324. The topface 324 includes a generally elongated elevated portion 326 thatextends within the perimeter of the top face 324 such that a ridge 328is formed along each of the sides 318, 320. A protrusion 329 extendsbeyond the elevated portion 326 along the hinged end 316.

The top portion 330 has a free end 334 and a hinged end 336, with sides338, 340 connecting the free end 334 and the hinged end 336. Each side338, 340 includes a generally cylindrical opening 339, 341,respectively, proximate to the free end 334. The openings 339, 341 arealigned so that a locking pin 380, shown in FIG. 10, may be insertedthrough the opening 339, and then through the opening 341.

The top portion 330 also includes a bottom face 342 and a top face 344.The bottom face 342 includes a generally elongated recessed portion 346that is sized to receive the elevated portion 326 when the lock 300 isin a closed position. The recessed portion 346 also includes a cavity348 along the hinged end 336 that is sized to receive the protrusion 329when the lock 300 is in a closed position. A recess 349 is formed at thefree end 334 along the top face 344. As shown in FIG. 9, the recess 349is generally semi-circular in shape, and extends through to the recessedportion 346.

A hinge pin 350 hingedly connects the hinged end 316 of the base portion310 and the hinged end 336 of the top portion 330 so that the lock 300is operable about the hinge pin 350 between an open and a closedposition. While a generally cylindrical hinge pin 350 is shown, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that other methods of hingedlyconnecting the base portion 310 and the top portion 330 to each othermay be used.

A locking tab 360 is disposed at the free end 314 of the base portion310. The locking tab 360 includes a vertical portion 362 that extendsgenerally perpendicular from the free end 314 of the base portion 310. Agenerally cylindrical opening 364 extends through the vertical portion362 such that, when the lock 300 is in a closed position, as is shown inFIG. 10, the opening 364 is aligned with both of the openings 339, 341in the top portion 330. The vertical portion 362 includes a beveled face366 that provides a space between the locking tab 360 and the free end334 of the top portion 330 when the lock 300 is in the closed position.

A locking pin 380, shown in FIG. 10, a separable from the remainder ofthe lock 300. The locking pin 380 includes a generally cylindrical pin382. A first end 384 of the pin 382 is beveled and is sized to fitfreely through the openings 364, 339, and 341. A second end 386 of thepin 382 includes a handle 388 that is larger than the openings 364, 339,341 so that the handle 388 stops the advancement of the pin 382 into theopenings 364, 339, 341. A spring-loaded ball lock 389 extends from theexterior surface of the pin 382 proximate to the first end 384. The balllock 389 extends sufficiently from the exterior surface of the pin 382to prevent the pin 382 from being inserted into any of the openings 364,339, 341 without an exertion of force.

FIG. 10 shows the lock 300 in a locked position, with two seat belt webs172, 174 secured together by the lock 300. As shown in FIG. 10, theelevated portion 326 cooperates with the recessed portion 346 to securethe webs 172, 174 relative to each other so that the webs 172, 174 donot translate relative to each other or the lock 300.

To operate the lock 300, the lock 300 is initially in an open position.A child car seat (not shown) is installed in the back seat of anautomobile according to instructions provided with the car seat. The carseat belt 170 is threaded through the back of the car seat, with the web172 that forms the lap portion of the belt 170 and the web 174 thatforms the shoulder portion 174 of the belt 170 being brought together ina juxtaposed relationship on either side of the seat. The elevatedportion 326 is engaged with the underneath portion of the web 172 andthe top portion 330 is pivoted about the hinge pin 350 to engage the topportion of the web 174. The vertical portion 362 of the locking tab 360is disposed within the recess 349.

The first end 384 of the pin 382 is inserted into the opening 339. Theball lock 389 is biased into the body of the pin 382 until the pin 382is able to advance into the opening 339. The pin 382 and the ball lock389 advance through the openings 339, 364, 341 until the ball lock 389exits the opening 341 and returns to its original position, securing thepin 382 in the openings 339, 364, 341 and securing the lock 300 in aclosed position.

The elevated portion 326 forces the portions of the webs 172, 174 thatare engaged with the elevated portion 326 into the recessed portion 346of the top portion 330, where the webs 172, 174 are held securely inplace by friction. The webs 172, 174 now cannot translate longitudinallywith respect to each other. The interlocking of the elevated portion 326with the recessed portion 346 also adds to the security of the webs 172,174 within the lock 300.

The lock 300 may be installed on the side of the car seat proximate tothe belt buckle (not shown) or on the side of the car seat distal fromthe belt buckle. Optionally, the lock 300 may be engaged with the webs172, 174 either prior to or subsequent to securing the child seat withthe belt 170.

To release the lock 300 from the belt 170, the user grasps the handle388 of the locking pin 380 and pulls the pin 382 from the openings 339,364, 341. The ball lock 389 is forced into the body of the pin 382 toallow the pin 382 to be pulled through the openings 341, 364, 339,respectively, to pull the pin from the lock 300. The free end 334 of thetop portion 330 is now free to pivot about the hinge pin 350 away fromthe free end 314 of the base portion 310, opening the lock 300 andallowing the webs 172, 174 to disengage from the lock 300.

Preferably, the locks 100, 200, 300 are each constructed from aluminum,or some other suitable material. The locks 100, 200, 300 may bemanufactured by machining, or some other suitable process.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A locking device comprising: a base portion having a base free end, abase hinged end, and an elongated top face extending between the basefree end and the base hinged end; a top portion having a top free end, atop hinged end, and an elongated bottom face extending between the topfree end and the top hinged end; a hinge hingedly connecting the basehinged end and the top hinged end; and a means for releasably securingthe base free end and the top free end such that the top face of thebase portion and the bottom face of the top portion are securedproximate to each other.
 2. The locking device according to claim 1,further comprising an elevated portion extending at least partiallyalong the top face of the base portion and a corresponding recessedportion in the bottom face of the top portion such that, when thelocking device is in a closed position, the elevated portion is disposedwithin the recessed portion.
 3. The locking device according to claim 1,wherein the elongated top face of the base portion and the elongatedbottom face of the top portion are sufficiently long to receive a seatbelt web therebetween.
 4. The locking device according to claim 1,wherein the means for releasably securing the base free end and the topfree end is pivotally connected to the base free end.
 5. The lockingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the means for releasably securingthe base free end and the top free end is releasably connected to thebase free end.
 6. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein themeans for releasably securing the base free end and the top free end isfixedly connected to the base free end.
 7. The locking device accordingto claim 1, wherein the means for releasably securing the base free endand the top free end comprises a pin.
 8. A method of securing a firstlength of a seat belt to a second length of a seat belt comprising:providing a clamp having: a base portion having a base free end, a basehinged end, and an elongated top face extending between the base freeend and the base hinged end; a top portion having a top free end, a tophinged end, and an elongated bottom face extending between the top freeend and the top hinged end; a hinge hingedly connecting the base hingedend and the top hinged end; and a means for releasably securing the basefree end and the top free end such that the top face of the base portionand the bottom face of the top portion are secured proximate to eachother; disposing the first length of the seat belt on the bottom face;disposing the second length of the seat belt on the first length of theseat belt; disposing the top face over the second length of the seatbelt; and securing the base free end to the top free end.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein securing the base free end to the top freeend comprises inserting a pin into the top free end and the base freeend.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein securing the base freeend to the top free end comprises releasably securing the base free endto the top free end.